A man gets swallowed by a sperm whale. He’s miles beneath the ocean’s surface, running out of oxygen, and has just one hour to escape. That’s the nightmare at the center of Whalefall, the 2026 survival thriller starring Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin.
But while much of the movie takes place inside a giant whale, its real-world locations are surprisingly easy to find. The production headed to California’s Monterey Peninsula for its ocean sequences, using locations around Carmel, Monterey and Pacific Grove.
The most claustrophobic scenes, meanwhile, were filmed inside a massive practical whale set built on a Los Angeles soundstage.
And yes, you can visit some of the actual places featured in the movie.
Here’s where Whalefall was filmed, from the dangerous shores of Monastery Beach to the real Monterey coastline, along with the behind-the-scenes story of how the filmmakers brought the whale’s interior to life.
Whalefall (2026) Filming Locations
Whalefall was filmed entirely in California. Principal photography began in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, and ran for 62 days. The crew spent about a week on the Monterey Peninsula in mid-June, and shot the whale’s interior on a soundstage in Studio City.
| Location | Area | What It Is |
| Monastery Beach | Carmel | Steep, wild beach and popular dive site |
| Monterey Bay | Monterey | Open water off the coast |
| Pacific Grove | Monterey Peninsula | Seaside town next to Monterey |
| Monterey High School | Monterey | Local high school |
| Jacks Peak County Park | Monterey | Hilltop park with pine forest and bay views |
| Studio City soundstage | Los Angeles | Where the whale’s interior was built |
The Monterey sites were confirmed by the Monterey County Film Commission. The exact scenes shot at each one haven’t been officially detailed, so we describe each place rather than guess at scenes.
Monastery Beach, Carmel
This is the location most tied to the film. Monastery Beach sits just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, across the road from the Carmelite Monastery that gives it its name.
It’s a natural fit for Jay’s dive. The beach is a popular shore-entry spot for scuba divers heading into Carmel Bay’s kelp forests. The seabed drops off steeply close to shore, which is exactly what makes it both beautiful and dangerous.
Visiting tip: Enjoy it from the sand. Locals have long warned about its powerful waves and sudden drop-off, and it is not a swimming beach. Divers should go only with proper training and a local guide.
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Monterey Bay
The ocean in Whalefall is the real thing. The production filmed off the coast of Monterey for about a week, according to the Monterey County Film Commission.
The setting is true to the book. Monterey Bay is one of the richest marine environments on Earth, and a deep underwater canyon brings whales close to shore. Humpbacks, grey whales and orcas pass through, and sperm whales are occasionally seen farther out.
Visiting tip: Whale-watching boats leave from Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf all year. Peak seasons vary by species, so check with tour operators before booking.
Pacific Grove
This small seaside town borders Monterey and was among the reported locations. Known as “Butterfly Town, USA,” it hosts thousands of wintering monarch butterflies each year.
Its rocky coastline and Victorian houses give the Central Coast a lived-in feel on screen. Pacific Grove’s shoreline also appeared in HBO’s Big Little Lies.
Visiting tip: Walk the coastal path from Lovers Point. It’s one of the prettiest stretches of shoreline on the peninsula.
Monterey High School
The film commission listed Monterey High School among the shooting locations. 20th Century Studios hasn’t said which scene was shot there.
Visiting tip: It’s a working school. View it from the street only.
Jacks Peak County Park
This park sits on the highest point of the Monterey Peninsula. It’s covered in native Monterey pine forest and offers sweeping views over Monterey Bay and Carmel Valley.
Its woods and ridgelines give the film a contrast to all that ocean.
Visiting tip: The park has easy hiking trails and picnic areas. A small vehicle entry fee applies.
Studio City Soundstage, Los Angeles
The whale itself was built, not found. Director Brian Duffield says the cast and crew spent the summer of 2025 inside a whale on a soundstage in Studio City.
The studio hasn’t named the specific lot or stage. It’s not open to visitors.
How they filmed inside the whale?
They built one. Rather than rely only on a digital environment, the production constructed a practical whale about 12 feet tall and 18 feet wide.
Austin Abrams spent much of the shoot crawling and swimming through that dark, cramped set on the Studio City stage. Having a real space to perform in gives Jay’s ordeal its claustrophobic feel. Visual effects then extend the set into a full-size, living sperm whale.
The look comes from cinematographer Aaron Morton, who also shot Duffield’s No One Will Save You and Spontaneous. Critics singled out these interior set pieces as the film’s strongest moments.
Production Timeline
The film went from book to screen in just over three years. Imagine Entertainment bought the rights before the novel was even published.
| Detail | Information |
| Film rights bought by Imagine | August 2023 |
| 20th Century Studios wins distribution | March 2024 |
| Austin Abrams cast | March 2025 |
| Josh Brolin and supporting cast confirmed | June 2025 |
| Filming start (Los Angeles) | June 9, 2025 |
| Monterey Peninsula shoot | Mid-June 2025 |
| Shooting schedule | 62 days |
| World premiere | October 5, 2026 (London) |
| US release | October 16, 2026 |
Why California? Producers considered Louisiana, which offered slightly bigger tax incentives. They chose Los Angeles so the cast and crew could stay close to home. The production also received a California film tax credit.
Whalefall Cast
Austin Abrams carries most of the film alone inside the whale. Josh Brolin plays his late father in flashbacks.
| Actor | Character |
| Austin Abrams | Jay Gardiner |
| Josh Brolin | Mitt Gardiner, Jay’s father |
| Elisabeth Shue | Zara Gardiner, Jay’s mother |
| Jane Levy | Eva Gardiner, Jay’s eldest sibling |
| Emily Rudd | Nan Gardiner, Jay’s middle sibling |
| John Ortiz | Hewey |
Behind the camera: Brian Duffield directs and co-wrote the script with novelist Daniel Kraus. Brian Grazer produces for Imagine Entertainment, with Ron Howard also credited. Joseph Trapanese composed the score, and Pietro Scalia edited.
Where to watch Whalefall?
Whalefall is in cinemas now, released by 20th Century Studios on October 16, 2026. It isn’t streaming yet. It’s expected on Hulu in the US and Disney+ internationally, likely in early 2027.
| Measure | Score |
| Rotten Tomatoes (critics) | 71% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (audience) | 81% |
| CinemaScore | B |
| Global opening weekend | About $17.5 million |
Critics praised the visceral scenes inside the whale but felt the flashbacks slowed things down. The film opened below expectations against a reported $60 million budget.
FAQs
Where was Whalefall filmed?
Entirely in California: on the Monterey Peninsula and on a soundstage in Studio City, Los Angeles.
Was Whalefall filmed in the real ocean?
Yes. The crew shot off the coast of Monterey for about a week in June 2025.
Where was the inside of the whale filmed?
On a Studio City soundstage, inside a practical whale set roughly 12 feet tall and 18 feet wide, extended with visual effects.
When was Whalefall filmed?
Filming started on June 9, 2025, and ran for 62 days.
Is Monastery Beach safe to visit?
It’s safe to admire from the sand. Its waves and steep drop-off make swimming dangerous.
Where is Whalefall set?
Off California’s Central Coast, the same area where it was filmed.
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